You've Gotta Be Nuts To Noodle For Catfish!
45730
Travel & Leisure > Outdoors
Oct 3, 2007
sharecropperbob
You've Gotta Be Nuts To Noodle For Catfish!
The first time I experienced the fear and excitement of watching someone noodle for catfish, it scared the heck out of me. Noodling, or grabblin as it's called in some circles, is fishing for large catfish with nothing but your hands and maybe a pint of Jack Daniels. It's a dangerous sport! That day I was fishing on the Tennessee River for anything that would bite. About a hundred yards downstream from where I sat, there were two men looking up and down the bank searching for something. As I watched, one of them waded into the water with his clothes on, and began slowly walking down the bank, feeling for something on the bottom of the river. His head started gradually disappearing under the now muddy water. In less than a minute the man shot to the surface in an explosion of water, his arm stuck in the mouth of an enormous catfish which was squirming and flopping around, fully intent on escape. From my vantage point I couldn't tell who was winning the battle, the fisherman or the fish! The fisherman was trying to stand in water that was up to his neck, holding the fish close to his body, while trying to move to the bank. If drowning the man who was clutching the fish's gills through the fish's mouth, was part of his escape plan, the catfish appeared to be winning the fight. The man went back under once again, clutching his struggling prize. Once again they exploded to the surface with water spraying everywhere as the man and fish each battled for their life. I was sure the fish was going to win because the man kept slipping on wet rocks and falling back into the water, but hanging onto the fish for dear life. The man in the water kept yelling for his partner to help him! Finally the other fisherman carefully waded into the water and tried to help his buddy who by this time was completely worn out. When the second fisherman finally figured out where to grab hold of the catfish with out pulling it out of his buddy's hands, they both were able to bring the fish in and dump him on the bank far enough from the water for him to roll back in and get away. Raising his right arm, which was scratched and bleeding from being gnawed on by the fish, the conquering fisherman let out a screeching rebel yell. "Oooooowahhoooo!" I later learned that this was a semi-official yell of every red blooded southern noodler. I ran over to the two guys and the catfish and voiced my congratulations! This was one humongous fish! Grinning from ear to ear, they told me that this was a little one, only about 45 pounds! It may have been small by their standards, but to me it was monstrous! I've been a fisherman most of my life, but I will have to admit that despite not having lived a completely clean and virtuous life, I still have most of my brain cells. I'll even acknowledge that I've never had the desire to stick my hand in a dark and spooky hole under the water where there could be a catfish. There could also be a snake or snapping turtle, not happy with an uninvited guest sticking their hands where they don't belong! In late spring and early summer, catfish spawn. The females find a suitable site in water 3 -20 feet deep where she can lay her eggs undisturbed. Sometimes an old tree, a brush pile or a hole under submerged rocks near the shore, can hold enough cover for the mother to be to lay her eggs. After they're deposited in the bed, the big male fish come in and protect the eggs until they're hatched. This is the time of year noodlers find big fish! The sport, if you can call it that, has attracted quite a few participants in the last several years. There is even a video out that has a catchy title, "Girls Gone Grabblin". There are actually women who go out and wrestle these gigantic fish from their nests, obviously not caring if they lose an arm or even a finger to these monsters. I've even heard rumors about noodlin becoming a Olympic event. If that ever happens, I have a word of advice for anyone crazy enough to even get in the water. The advice is this: You don't get any points for dragging a water moccasin out of his hole!
Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at: http://www.redfishbob.com http://www.bluemarlinbob.com
send email to sharecropperbob
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
Tips on campfire building, fire safety tips and memories of campfires past.
Category:
Catching 40 pound catfish with your hands is not for the weak of heart. You've gotta be a little nuts to try this!
Category:
Make decorating work fun. Pretend you're working on a masterpiece when you paint your room!
Category:
A brief look at the delicious fruitcake. Historically it has always had its true fans!
Category:
It's time for a change! There'll be no sun burns, sand spurs and heat strokes this year. We're going to the mountains!
Category:
They're back. A new year and a new litter of raccoons are driving me and my cat nuts!
Category:
The aroma of hickory smoked barbeque attracts two men in white shirts and ties.
Category:
The heavenly scent of hickory smoke barbeque should be available to everyone, regardless of whether they actually cook barbeque or not!
Category:
There are other reasons to get up early on Saturday morning. Garage Sales!
Category:
Early warning signs of diabetes. How to tell that you might be a diabetic.
Category:
Tips on catching redfish; guide to enjoying the great Florida sand, surf and fish.
Category:
Shopping on Christmas Eve can be a hassle or it can be lots of fun!
Category:
Today's bass fishermen not only use the finest tackle, boat and motor, he must also look good!
Category:
Relieve stress by painting your room. Tips on painting and sage wisdom from an expert.
Category:
Three small fishes and a hungry crowd! Sound familiar? Bream fishing and the finger of God!
Category:
A nostalgic look at ballroom dancing through the eyes of an aging gentleman with dancing feet!
Category:
Tips on how to earn extra money through internet auctions such as eBay and Yahoo Auctions. You don't have to have a website to make money!
Category:
Bring your own minnows if you're planning to fish in Douglas Lake in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains!
Category:
Other links at Travel & Leisure > Outdoors
The exact pieces of fishing tackle that should make up your equipment when fishing for bass.
Category:
The new GPS locators are great. But what happens if it breaks or the batteries run out? If your out in the back country knowing how to use a compass and a map could save your life.
Category:
For the paintball enthusiast, there are many different paintball fields from which to play. Part of this is the enormous popularity the sport has managed to garner for itself. A simple search typed in any internet search engine for "paintball fields" will
Category:
Searching for the perfect bass boat is not always easy. Sharing the adventure with your wife is not always the smartest move.
Category:
An outline of why backpacking is a major growth sport and hobby.
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68252
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
